#005 7-minutes: First 10 moves of the Classic Pilates mat
#005a See how strong you are, and at the same time, explore the rich culture and tradition of the Joseph Pilates classical mat!
About this “7-minute” workout
For experienced pilates practitioners, it is always good to return to the classical moves of the Joseph Pilates method because it's good to see if we can still do the moves, and it is also a trip down memory lane! For the rest of us, we are exploring a rich culture and tradition.
Enjoy!
I've done my best to only slightly modify the original mat work so as to make it a little safer, but without losing the authentic original feel of the pilates work. Others would have modified it differently; it will still be valid.
I also made a video that will help you prepare for the 10 classic moves
Two cautions:-
Don't rush the moves, because Rome wasn't built in a day.
If you are out of condition or have never done pilates, sign up for supervised pilates in a nearby studio.
Some notes and history follow.
Classical pilates has its roots in the German discipline of "Turnen"
Classical pilates has its roots in the German discipline of "Turnen". In English, that translates to: "physical education, gymnastics". Turnen was invented by Prussian educator Friedrich Ludwig Jahn (1778-1852) and was first implemented in a Berlin grammar school in the early 1800s. Read the story here.
Interestingly, the German word for grammar school is "Gymnasium", and the English word for fitness centre is "gym", short for gymnasium. I’m sure there is some reason for that.
Similarities between Classical Pilates and Men’s Gymnastics
You can see the similarities between classical pilates and male gymnastics if you visit your local gymnastics club and watch the 8-year-old boys doing their warmups. They're doing a gymnastics warmup but it looks like pilates. The instructor may acknowledge that the warmup looks like pilates but they will tell you, "no it is not pilates". That's because "Turnen" came first.
When and how did Pilates derive from the german Art and Science of Gymnastics?
The below picture shows the Gymnastic and Sports instructors of Moenchengladbach in 1877. In this beautifully composed portrait, they show off their physiques and equipment in front of the Moenchenglabach town hall. Center stage is Heinrich Friedrich Pilates, the father of Joseph Pilates, who went on to establish and give his name to the Pilates exercise system. Note that while Joseph’s father is of small stature, he has impressive posture and muscular development. The story of the picture, and the pilates family connection with gymnastics and other exercise disciplines is presented here.
Other details of the Joseph Pilates biography are presented here:-
Other influences upon the Classical Pilates method
(Boxing; a possible influence by the books of Dr. Bess Mensendieck), are discussed by EVA RINCKE here: https://pilatesbiography.wordpress.com/2015/11/17/wer-beeinflusste-joseph-pilates/
More info on Dr. Bess Mensendieck's books:
Körperkultur des Weibes praktisch hygienische und praktisch ästhetische Winke https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_rd8PAAAAYAAJ/mode/2up
Look better, feel better; the world-renowned Mensendieck system of functional movements, for a youthful body and vibrant health
Both the above titles are available by search on Amazon.com